Top Labels

Harmless - Harmless Recordings have rivalled BBE in the re-issue stakes over the past decade, working closely with a variety of established DJs in producing compilations that are richly researched, lovingly presented and have been a handy tool for many a budding DJ. Harmless have released countless compilations that touch on soul and funk; worked closely with Norman Jay in documenting Philly Disco; had a long running and highly successful breaks series in Pulp Fiction and dabbled in more contemporary sounds like acid house, dubstep and drum and bass.

Hed Kandi - With a distinctive design and a commercial outlook, Hed Kandi have become one of the biggest UK labels dealing in house music compilations and is now a fully fuctioning lifestyle brand. Founded in 1999, Hed Kandi primarily dealt in accessible commercial Ibiza house compilations via the Back To Love series. Since then the imprint has kept in tow with du jour trends and the back catalouge currently covers everything from chillout to electro house to disco. Showing their marketing nous, Hed Kandi now includes a clothing and fragrance franchise.

High Contrast Holland - The clue to the success of High Contrast is in the title; the Dutch label has adopted a fearless approach in releasing music from a wide range of genres; house, techno, trance and electro all get a look in, with a common focus on peak time fun. Some of the names to have adorned High Contrast releases include Paul van Dyk, Marcel Woods, Rank 1, Joop, Ronald van Gelderen and Nic Chagall.

Hospital - Initially started back in 1996 by long-term friends Chris Goss and Tony Colman, Hospital Records has gone on to become a force in the underground music scene, achieving a prestige that extends well beyond the realms of D&B. The jazzy, liquid funk sounds of their trademark uplifting, melodic productions - as represented by the likes of High Contrast, Nu:Tone, Logistics, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd, and more recently Netsky, Mistabishi and Lenzman - has really set Hospital apart from the rest. Going further afield with their publishing company Songs In The Key Of Knife, merchandising and minimal offshoot imprint, Med School, Hospital have reached out to a global audience. The unprecedented success of Hospitality club nights across the whole of the UK has seen Hospital become not just a label, but also a brand, a concept, an idea and, most importantly, a sound.

Hotflush Recordings - Scuba's Hotflush imprint has become increasingly influential as the dubstep movement continues to splinter and move in a myriad of directions. Now based in Berlin, Scuba's Sub:stance nights have played a big role in the blossoming between UK dubstep and German techno. Founded in 2003, the label has released material from respected artists including Shackleton, Loefah, and Martyn, alongside Scuba's own work. Hotflush etched its name into dubstep folkflore with the landmark "Hyph Mngo" by Joy Orbison, arguably the biggest track of 2009 in electronic music circles. It has also released a number of stellar albums, including Scuba's Antipathy (2008) and Triangulation (2010) as well as Mount Kimbie's breathtaking debut Crooks & Lovers (2010).

Hyperdub - Hyperdub has had an almost unparalleled influence on the UK bass music scene in recent times. The imprint was set up by Steve Goodman (aka Kode 9) in 2004 and is perhaps best known for putting out two genre defining albums from enigmatic producer Burial (2006's Burial and 2007's Untrue). Goodman's South London-based imprint has played an important role in nurturing talent whilst the nascent dubstep scene explored fertile new territory. The Hyperdub family continues to expand and diversify, releasing material from UK funky star Cooly G, Detroit prodigy Kyle Hall and Kevin Martin's Lover's Rock project King Midas Sound among many others.